Pep Guardiola hugging Samuel Chukwueze after Fulham vs Manchester City match
The Premier League delivered pure chaos at Craven Cottage — nine goals, breathtaking football, and one Nigerian winger who nearly flipped the script on the defending champions.
But beyond the 5–4 scoreline, one moment stole the spotlight:
Pep Guardiola walking straight to Samuel Chukwueze, sharing a hug, a laugh, and a short conversation that instantly set the internet buzzing.
Fulham were buried 5–1 when Chukwueze came on at half-time.
Then everything changed.
With speed, flair, and confidence that looked straight out of his Villarreal days, the 26-year-old fired in a brilliant brace — two goals in eight minutes — and suddenly, City were sweating.
His directness troubled Guardiola’s side all game, and his performance felt like a declaration:
Chukwueze has arrived in the Premier League.
Cameras picked up the moment right after full-time:
Pep walks directly to Chukwueze
Wraps him in a warm hug
Shares a laugh
And keeps talking as they walk together off the pitch
It wasn’t a polite “well played.”
It was genuine admiration.
And football fans — especially in the transfer-driven sports market — noticed immediately.
Social media exploded with comments like:
“Pep loves him. City move loading?”
“Chukwueze cooking City and still getting hugged — Pep really wants him.”
Given City’s struggles to find a Raheem Sterling–type winger since 2022, the speculation isn’t far-fetched.
Chukwueze is currently on loan from AC Milan, but nights like this don’t go unnoticed:
Top managers start paying attention
Clubs begin reassessing their scouting
And players suddenly find themselves on bigger radars
With City lacking a consistent right-sided goal threat, Chukwueze’s explosive style fits a lot of what Guardiola loves — pace, bravery, unpredictability.
And when Pep hugs you like that?
The football world takes notes.
His Fulham form is picking up rapidly, and if he keeps producing moments like this, the summer transfer window will be very interesting.
For now, though, one thing is clear:
Pep respected what he saw.
Chukwueze made a statement.
And the Premier League just got even more exciting.
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